Education Main Page

Education

      Unfortunately, this section of our website will never be large enough to encompass all the data we wish we could fill it with. Time, space, and simply a lack of real studies makes aviculture more of an art form than a science. With hundreds of species of birds, from all four corners of the globe, information and mis-information abounds in regards to their housing, nutrition, training and general care.

     What we will be providing here will be our take on things. Some of what you read may go against what your breeder, pet shop owner, neighbour or veterinarian has told you, but we believe that's a good thing. Without controversy there is no need for further investigation, and that's how true learning occurs.

     As you may have read in the About Us section, and in the Our Pets section, our love began with special needs dogs. Over the past nine years I have absorbed all the knowledge I have been able to get my hands on in regards to feeding companion dogs and cats, and I have tested every theory available (well, at least those that made sense to me. There are theories out there - such as feed your dog whatever you eat, including cake and pie, and cats are acceptable vegans that simply scream NONSENSE! to even the most uneducated among us). The only truth I have come to accept as 100% correct, 100% of the time, is that you, as the animal guardian, must be as well-informed as possible, and be comfortable with the choices that you have made from that information. If you read something here that you disagree with, I encourage you to explore it. Contact me if you'd like, if you have a question, or a comment. We may not agree, but I am always available to answer any questions you may have, in the effort to further not only your education, but my own! I learn a new thing every day!

     That being said, the education section has been broken down (so far) into the following categories:

Please note that this is just the beginning, and as time and other factors allow, this page I'm sure will take on a life of its own. Also, if there is something not here that you feel is important, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to add it as soon as possible. Our goal is for this site to one day be a one-stop research resource, presenting (hopefully) all sides of any argument, provided that each side is backed with common sense and (preferably) scientific proof.

A very important warning to everyone out there:

This site, and the internet in general, is a wonderful research tool. But like any tool, misuse can cause serious harm. Just as a saw in inexperienced hands can lop off a finger, just a little bit of information in the wrong hands can produce unhealthy, unwell, and even dead birds. PLEASE, do not use anything but your own common sense when it comes to making decisions for your feathered friends. BUT MAKE SURE IT IS BASED ON FACTS, not simply "something I read on the internet," or even in a book. I've done my best to compile scientific studies to back the information found here, or at least articles written by PhDs (which, while not assuring their correctness, is certainly a step up from any credibility that someone who has simply pumped out baby birds for 10-15 years has).

Your avian (and canine, and feline!) friends rely on YOU to bring home the veggies, so to speak, so make sure you're doing well by them. You'll be rewarded by MANY long years of health, shiny feathers, smooth beaks (note: some birds, such as Cockatoos, should NOT have smooth beaks), bright eyes, and hopefully happy companionship.